3 ms·
This was after Gilgamesh, fearing death, tried to gain immortality and failed. He's back to his town, but he's not afraid any more. I loved this poignant ending
by idoubtit 5y ago
This was after Gilgamesh, fearing death, tried to gain immortality and failed. He's back to his town, but he's not afraid any more. I loved this poignant ending: he's not bitter; cities are there to stay through buildings (walls) and society (agricultural production, religion); meaning we cannot gain immortality as individuals, but what we achieve as a collective outlasts us.
- shantnutiwari 5y agothats a great point-- I never realised it in my reading. An I suppose Gilgamesh the epic survived, even though the culture/civilisation that created it died out. Which just goes to show that immortality is possible for beautiful ideas/stories, just not for humans
- pfdietz 5y agoEgypt's might is tumbled down Down a-down the deeps of thought; Greece is fallen and Troy town, Glorious Rome hath lost her crown, Venice' pride is nought. But the dreams their children dreamed Fleeting, unsubstantial, vain Shadowy as the shadows seemed Airy nothing, as they deemed, These remain. (Mary E. Coleridge, 1908)